It’s been another busy year for faith-based entertainment.
Theatrical releases like “The Chosen: Last Supper,” “The Unbreakable Boy” and “Soul on Fire” kept faith-based entertainment fans well fed, and steady releases found interested audiences.
Faith-based studios, such as Angel Studios, 5&2 Studios and The Wonder Project, have released faith-based content at a growing rate, appealing to massive audiences.
Ahead of Christmas Day, Angel Studios’ “David” debuted at $22 million at the domestic box office — making it the highest-earning theatrical debut for Angel, as well as the highest-grossing faith-based animated theatrical opening of all time, surpassing “King of Kings” and “Prince of Egypt.”
5&2 Studios’ theatrically released biblical drama, “The Chosen: Last Supper,” generated over $35 million at the box office this spring, pushing the franchise past the $100 million mark in combined revenue, as previously reported by the Deseret News.
And Angel Studios’ “The King of Kings” had a massive theatrical debut over Easter weekend, earning nearly $80 million at the box office worldwide.
The well-oiled faith-based entertainment machine produced content — both film and television — regularly all year.
Here are 10 of the best faith-based films of the year.
‘The Chosen: Last Supper’
While not technically a movie, “The Chosen: The Last Supper” debuted theatrically in feature-length segments.
The fifth season of “The Chosen” features scenes from Holy Week, including the triumphal entry, the last supper, Jesus turning tables at the temple and the betrayal of Judas.
“In this season, you’re going to see these big, epic moments that we all know and we’ve all heard about — but especially you’re going to get to see the intimacy and the authenticity and the relationships," Jenkins said ahead of the release of the biblical drama’s fifth season, per the Deseret News.
“The moments that you’ve heard about from scripture are there. They’re significant. We do them in a really cool way, but ultimately you’re going to be in the story. And you can see this from a human perspective.”
The fifth season stands out as the most emotional season yet, as the story reaches an intense turning point where faith, fear and hope collide.
Where to watch: Prime Video, The Chosen app
‘The Unbreakable Boy’
“The Unbreakable Boy” tells a true story based on an autobiography from Scott LeRette with the same title. Scott (Zachary Levi) is a first-time father struggling to parent his son, Austin (Jacob Laval), who is diagnosed with autism and a rare brittle bone disease.
As the final scraps of control over his life slip through his fingers, Scott surrenders himself to the life he’s created and relies on newfound faith to rebuild.
“I think we all need more hope, we all need more redemption, we all need more unity,” Levi told the Deseret News on the importance of telling faith-based stories like “The Unbreakable Boy.”
He continued, “On a spiritual level, a lot of films, though they may be very entertaining, if they’re not coming with a message that is ultimately helping us to grow, helping us to become better versions of ourselves — I think we’re missing an opportunity.”
Austin’s challenges and triumphs are central to the movie, but it’s less a movie about a child with autism and more about a man surrendering control, turning to faith and transforming himself into an unwavering father and partner.
Where to watch: Rent on Apple TV, Prime Video, YouTube TV
‘Light Of The World’
Salvation Poem Project debuted “Light of the World” as part of a 30-year mission to share stories about Jesus Christ with the world.
“Light of the World” tells stories from Jesus’ ministry through the eyes of a young John — a successful move to make the film more accessible to younger audiences.
The animated film was written primarily for viewers with no concept of Jesus, or who hold misconceptions about Jesus, animator-director John Schafer told the Deseret News. The film offers a great entry point to Christianity for those who don’t know anything about Jesus.
“When we set out to make this, we wanted to make a film that clearly showed the beauty of Jesus to people who’d never even heard his name before, in a way that they could understand, grab a hold of and say, ‘I see why you love Jesus.’” said Brennan McPherson, the president of Salvation Poem Project.
Where to watch: Rent on Apple TV, Prime Video, YouTube TV
‘Between Borders’
“Between Borders” shares the true story of the Petrosyan family as they fled anti-Armenian violence amid the collapse of the Soviet Union.
While struggling to settle in a foreign country as refugees, the Petrosyan family meet Christian missionaries who offer them practical help — food, clothing and shelter — and eventually introduce them to Christianity through conversation and example.
“Between Borders” shows how faith can provide strength and resilience during times of fear, displacement and uncertainty.
Where to watch: Angel Guild
‘The King of Kings’
Angel Studios co-founder Jordan Harmon described Angel’s animated movie “The King of Kings” as “The Passion of the Christ” for kids.
The movie was inspired by the Charles Dickens classic, “The Life of our Lord,” and features Dickens as a father, sharing the stories of Jesus Christ with his son, who becomes captivated by the bedtime stories.
During its debut weekend, “The King of Kings” generated over $19 million in ticket sales — breaking the record for highest-grossing debut for an animated biblical film. The record was previously held by DreamWorks’ 1998 movie, “Prince of Egypt,” per Collider.
While “The King of Kings” does not offer any deep biblical messages, it does offer young audiences a digestible, adventure-driven portion of Christianity.
Where to watch: Peacock, Angel Guild
‘Soul on Fire’
While experimenting with matches and gasoline, a 9-year-old John O’Leary (Joel Courtney) ignited an accidental explosion, resulting in 100% of his body covered in burns — 85% of which were third-degree burns. He was given a 1% chance of survival.
Bolstered by prayers, family support and months of medical care, O’Leary survived, returned home and built a life for himself.
Eventually, O’Leary mustered enough confidence in himself to become a successful inspirational speaker, and shared his story in a 2016 memoir-meets-self-help book, “On Fire.”
“Soul on Fire” is an adaptation of O’Leary’s memoir, and one of the best faith-centered, triumph-over-tragedy films of the year.
“It’s so powerful,” Courtney said of O’Leary’s story. “It’s the conqueror. It’s the victor. It’s not by his own strength. It’s by the prayers surrounding him, by God’s hand on him, blessing him and healing him and pulling him out of darkness.”
Where to watch: Rent on Apple TV, Prime Video, YouTube TV
‘Sarah’s Oil’
In “Sarah’s Oil,” 11-year-old Sarah Rector (Naya Desir-Johnson) clings to her faith that beneath her barren land is a wealth of oil — enough to make her the richest African American woman in the U.S.
Sarah’s land appears un-farmable and worthless, but Sarah says she can hear “oceans” of oil beneath it, claiming it as a gift from God.
Following a series of lowball deals offered by scummy oil sharks, Sarah teams up with Bert Smith (Zachary Levi), a charming, opportunistic wildcatter. Sarah’s enduring faith in the venture, amid dozens of setbacks, has a transformative effect on Bert.
“I was so inspired,” Levi told the Deseret News. “We all need to recognize that there is something that’s larger, bigger, greater, more powerful than us — God. Some might not call that God, but I do, and and that there is identity to be found in that, and hope to be found in that, in our faith, our humility, our gratitude, our trust in our Creator."
Where to watch: Rent on Apple TV, Prime Video, YouTube TV
‘Truth and Treason’
When 16-year-old Helmuth Hübener’s (Ewan Horrocks) Jewish friend disappeared at the hands of German Nazis, he began listening to banned short-wave radio stations at low volume after dark — and uncovered alarming answers about the Nazi regime.
Fueled by his faith-centered convictions, Hübener launched an anonymous resistance campaign and enlisted friends from his congregation, Karl-Heinz Schnibbe (Ferdinand McKay) and Rudolf Wobbe (Daf Thomas), fellow members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to join his movement.
When Hübener’s resistance movement is sniffed out by a colleague, the teenager and his friends are sent to the People’s Court on counts of treason.
The inspiring true story provides audiences with an opportunity to “appreciate the light,” the film’s director, Matt Whitaker, told the Deseret News.
Whitaker believes the film will make viewers “laugh, they’re going to cry ... but they’re also going to be inspired and moved by it.”
Where to watch: Angel Guild
‘for King + Country: No Turning Back’
Joel and Luke Smallbone, the musicians behind Christian pop duo for King + Country, peeled back the curtain on their harrowing rise to fame for a second time. In “No Turning Back,” the brothers share a grittier, more vulnerable glimpse into their faith-fueled journey.
The brothers described “No Turning Back” as a sequel to their 2024 biopic, “Unsung Hero.” The documentary provides a closer look at the struggles Joel and Luke overcame as their musical careers took off.
“The origins of the documentary started around the same time (as'Unsung Hero’). In some ways, the documentary indicated a lot of the film,“ Joel told the Deseret News.
“(The documentary) was kind of an opportunity to peek behind the curtain at the struggle and the visceral bits, the illness and the ego and the issues we faced as a family and then the grace of God literally weaving the narrative together.”
“No Turning Back” highlights a decade of failed starts, industry rejections, family illness and other challenges that the four-time Grammy winners now believe shaped their music, faith and characters in positive ways.
Where to watch: Wonder Project on Prime Video
‘David’
In this retelling of the New Testament story, young David’s faith is shaped by his mother’s gentle songs and the quiet voice of God.
But when Goliath stands to terrify a nation, the young shepherd — equipped only with a sling, a few stones and steadfast faith — steps forward. As he’s swept into the tensions of power and destiny, David is forced to confront what loyalty, love and courage truly demand.
“David” has big shoes to fill — there are a myriad of King David adaptations — but the animated movie impressed critics ahead of its release.
“‘David’ is the best animated bible movie since ‘Prince of Egypt,’” wrote The Gospel Coalition. “The movie blew my expectations out of the water and had me smiling, laughing, and occasionally tearful.”
Where to watch: Currently in theaters